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Tuesday Rockpile: Rockies players share their experiences from the Cultural Education & Development Program

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 06: Antonio Senzatela #49 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 6, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This is the fifth installment in Purple Row’s series on the Colorado Rockies Cultural Education & Development Program. So far, I have written about what the program does, its curriculum, and its origins. Yesterday, Renee Dechert wrote a profile on one of the English teachers, and this week we’ll continue exploring how the Rockies help non-English-speaking players develop their language skills.

As we’ve discussed over the last few weeks, the Colorado Rockies have been at the forefront of English education around Major League Baseball. It all started because Josh Rosenthal had a vision after returning from the Peace Corps, and he and Angel Amparo have turned that vision into a reality that set the standard for all 30 clubs. 

The Rockies currently have five players from Latin America on their active roster, and three of them graduated from the Cultural Education & Development Program – Antonio Senzatela, Juan Mejia and Ezequiel Tovar. Here’s how they described their experiences.

Antonio Senzatela

Senzatela was one of the original students in the program, having been signed out of Valencia, Venezuela, in 2011. He was assigned to the DSL Rockies the following year and came stateside in 2013. Since he was around in the early goings, he had a lot more experience with Rosenthal than Amparo.

“It was really good,” Senzatela said of his experience. “Josh was an amazing person. He’s a different personality. He liked to teach us how to be a good person and how to engage in American culture when we’re just kids. And it was really fun and really nice to have him.”

And the lessons he learned have stuck with him throughout his career.

“In our country, we don’t have a lot of things. It’s different,” he said. “Here you have to be more quiet and more careful with things you say and stuff like that. He taught us that and a couple of English words, especially more on the baseball-wise because at least we have to know baseball terms. And it’s really nice, and it was perfect for me.”

Ezequiel Tovar and Juan Mejia

Tovar and Mejia were both signed in 2017 – Tovar out of Maracay, Venezuela, and Mejia out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Both came stateside in 2019, but Tovar made his MLB debut in 2022 while Mejia made his debut in 2025. 

“I think it was a big help. They taught me so much,” Mejia said of his experience. “I think through that program and through the help of Angel, I think it not only shaped myself as a whole but it also shaped my personality. It changed my personality over here, so it helped me from that first year that I got in the United States. I felt better going into it because I had so much help, and it helped me in various ways.”

Tovar explained more about how the early classes were structured.

“There’s two of them over there that head the program, and obviously they taught me a lot,” he said. “That program meant a lot for learning English. First it was through Duolingo and some of the classes over there, and they had a bunch of applications that they gave to us to help us learn English. But yeah, I started all the way over there in the Dominican my first year with all that.”

He also remembers there were a lot of “quizzes and tests” but also Amparo and Julio Medina got more creative with teaching their players how to understand and begin internalizing English.

“They’d send you movies, songs and things like that to help you remember English and kind of get used to it,” Tovar said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I remember.”

Mejia remembered a project where the players all had to create an advertisement for a product, and while he couldn’t remember the specific product he was trying to sell, he “vividly remember(s) doing those videos.”

“I can’t specifically recall that because I was in Spokane,” he said. “I knew a little more English, so I think that was helpful, but it was still hard for me because I was a little nervous, and I kind of wanted to get it done with so I kind of rushed it a little bit. It was still hard on me, doing those videos, and I can’t recall specifically that.”

However, he didn’t think it was harder than opening or closing a baseball game – it’s just a different kind of challenge.

“I think it was that you’re focusing on talking, and obviously it makes you nervous because you’re not fully adapted to the language,” he explained. “But over here, I’m confident in my talent when I’m pitching. I think everyone can see that talent that I have, and thanks to God, so I enjoy being out there with the guys.”

Tovar offered some advice for players who are still in the program and who are still getting used to English as well as life in the United States.

“My advice for them is that I’m still learning English myself and getting used to it,” he said. “But over here, we speak English. It’s a huge part of the culture and a huge part of what you do, so you’ve got to go hard and focus on what you’re doing. 

“But I think all the guys are doing it,” he continued. “Ever since you leave from the Dominican and come to Arizona, you’re still doing the programs, even if it’s on Zoom or anything like that. The program is something that obviously helps a lot of us out, and I think it’s a program that means a lot for a lot of us. It’s something that follows you, even as you keep rising in the programs.”

Closing Thoughts

Over the past few weeks, we’ve highlighted a lot of details about this program. This concludes the first part of our series, but it is not the end! We will go on a short hiatus, but we will bring this back in June with more teacher interviews as well as interviews from players currently in the program.

Stay tuned!

On the Farm

Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies 7, ACL Diamondbacks 3

The ACL Rockies continued their hot start to the young season, where they have only lost one game so far. Things got a little hairy in the first inning, as the Baby Snakes put up a three-spot where the third run was scored on a wild pitch by Eliezer Pena. However, the Baby Rockies got things going in the fourth with a triple by Kamuel Villar followed by an RBI single by Yeiker Reyes. A wild pitch tied things up in the fifth, and a three-run double by Reyes doubled the Baby Rockies score. Sebastian Blanco doubled in the fifth to end the scoring at 7-3.

In total, ACL Rockies pitching held the ACL Dbacks to just four hits while striking out eight and walking four. The ACL Rockies offense, on the other hand, had 13 hits, six walks and just three strikeouts.

1 thing each team can improve upon the rest of the way | MLB.com

The Rockies are better this year, but there’s always room for improvement. Thomas Harding identifies “better right-handed hitting” as the need for the Rockies, as players such as Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle and Hunter Goodman have all struggled out of the gate in various ways.

Elmo’s opinion of The Rockies? ‘The team’s okay’ | Denver Gazette ($)

Forget Grimace. Forget Dinger. Elmo entered the booth during the Rockies-Phillies game on Saturday as part of the Phillies’ Strike Out the Stigma’ initiative to support mental health awareness. During his interview, Elmo gave his opinion many things including the Rockies, especially since he’s beefing with a friend with a similar name (Rocco).

Here’s the full video, if you missed it (or want to relive it!):

Behind Chase Dollander and Antonio Senzatela’s pitching revitalization | Blake Street Banter

Antonio Senzatela and Chase Dollander have been the focus of the Rockies this season, and for good reason. Both have had excellent starts, and both have made some major adjustments at the suggestions of the new coaching staff. Shawn Trewartha details the changes that both have made, and how they’ve been working in real time.

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2026 Brewers Minor League Roundup: Week 7

Brewers third base prospect Andrew Fischer signs an autograph during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Welcome back to the Minor League Roundup!

As a reminder, you can find this roundup — covering everything you need to know about each of the Brewers’ minor league affiliates — every Tuesday morning right here on Brew Crew Ball. For consistency, all organizational prospect rankings will reference MLB Pipeline unless otherwise noted.

Triple-A Nashville Sounds (20-19)

Opponent: Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)

Record this week: 3-3

Standout performances:

Jeferson Quero (No. 8): 7-for-19, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K

Eddys Leonard: 6-for-17, 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K

Jett Williams (No. 3): 6-for-21, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 4 K

Luis Lara (No. 11): 6-for-21, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K

Garrett Stallings: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Coleman Crow (No. 26): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Carlos Rodriguez: 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 BB, 5 K

Robert Gasser (No. 16): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Now that we’re more than a month into the minor league season, stats are starting to stabilize a bit. Nashville’s offenses has been led by Eddys Leonard, who leads the Sounds with a 1.028 OPS and .345 batting average over 116 at-bats. Luis Lara isn’t far behind him, with a .317/.417/.511 line in 139 at-bats. Other important contributors for the Sounds have included catchers Ramon Rodriguez (.319 batting average, .806 OPS) and Jeferson Quero (.257/.344/.425).

The Sounds have a few top organizational prospects who have struggled to start the season. Cooper Pratt is barely hitting over .200 (.205). He’s hitting .207 over the last month and .205 over the last two weeks, although his numbers are weighed down by a 3-for-24 performance this week. Jett Williams (.243/.360/.354) also had a rough start, although he’s started to turn things around over the last month (.812 OPS).

Brock Wilken (No. 21) has also bounced back recently, but his season long slash line (.179/.316/.317 with just two home runs) is still far from encouraging. He’s struck out 43 times in 123 at-bats, which means he’s striking out in over a third of his at-bats. Luke Adams (No. 12)has been out with a shoulder contusion for almost a month, but he had a .732 OPS in 39 at-bats before going on the IL. Tyler Black, who’s up in Milwaukee right now, has gone 11-for-39 with the Sounds this season.

The Sounds have a lot of pitching depth, but a couple of their starters haven’t had great starts. Tate Kuehner (5.50 ERA) and Coleman Crow (4.70) have had a few rough outings that have ballooned their season-long stats, although both pitchers are still striking out one batter per inning. Carlos Rodriguez (7.91) has been hit even harder over 19.1 innings. Logan Henderson (1.02) has been by far the Sounds’ best starting pitcher, but he’s now in the major league rotation.

With Henderson in Milwaukee, lefty Robert Gasser (4.08) would probably be the next pitcher to get the call to the majors should the Brewers need reinforcements. Gasser’s only allowed one home run all year and has 25 strikeouts to seven walks in 17.2 innings pitched.

Jacob Waguespack (11 appearances, 2.25 ERA, 12.94 K/9) has pitched extremely well out of the bullpen, as has Will Childers, who hasn’t allowed an earned run in nine relief appearances. Neither has Brian Fitzpatrick, who’s now pitching out of the bullpen in Milwaukee.

Next week’s opponent: vs. Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs)

Double-A Biloxi Shuckers (14-18)

Opponent: Columbus Clingstones (Atlanta Braves)

Record this week: 2-3

Standout performances:

Blake Burke (No. 17): 6-for-21, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K

Darrien Miller: 4-for-11, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K

Mike Boeve: 4-for-14, 1 2B, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K

Manuel Rodriguez: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Dylan O’Rae: 6-for-18, 0 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K

1B/DH Blake Burke, who was just named the Brewers Minor League Player of the Month, has turned into a formidable power hitter with the Shuckers. He’s hit 22 homers for the Shuckers since his promotion from High-A in August 2025. Eight of those home runs came in the month of April, along with 8 doubles, a triple, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and — perhaps most impressively — 9 stolen bases.

The Brewers don’t usually rush their prospects, so don’t expect to see Burke in the major leagues this year — especially given the wealth of 1B/DH options currently on the 26-man roster. Still, he should be in Triple-A pretty soon if he keeps hitting like this. He’s looking like a legitimate power hitter, a trait that should translate to the majors someday.

Jesus Made’s season-long stats still look solid (.275.360/.427), but his numbers have taken a nosedive over the last month. He’s now hitting .242 with a .698 OPS over the last month. Over the last two weeks, his numbers are down even further (.233 batting average, .578 OPS).

I’ve consistently said not to worry about Made, but at this point he’s been performing below his (admittedly sky-high) expectations for about a month. I still wouldn’t worry too much, for a couple reasons.

One, Made is still a good two years younger than the average Double-A player. Going from High-A to Double-A is often considered the hardest jump in the minor leagues, and pitchers have adjusted to how they pitch him. He was so absurdly good to start the season (and last year) that anything short of eye-popping stats start to feel like a let-down, but he’s also not striking out that often (16 Ks in his last 95 at-bats) and has still looked like himself at the plate. Development isn’t linear. If Made keeps hitting like this for another month, then it’s worth a deeper dive into his mechanics and approach.

I generally try to avoid speculation, but it’s at least worth noting that Made’s recent downturn has overlapped with the hospitalization of Luis Peña, who collapsed in the dugout during a High-A game. I’ll get into Peña’s situation more in the High-A section below, but the short version is this: Brewers GM Matt Arnold said Peña was okay following the incident, yet he hasn’t appeared in a game in nearly three weeks. The organization announced more than a week ago that Peña was scheduled to see a neurologist, but there hasn’t been any public update from either the Brewers or Peña’s camp since then.

Hitting is as much mental as it is physical, and the Peña situation was undeniably scary. Made and Peña have known each other since they were twelve years old and are reportedly very close. If Peña is still dealing with something serious, it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s affecting Made as well.

Less-heralded prospects Dylan O’Rae, Mike Boeve, and Damon Keith have all continued to play well with the Shuckers. O’Rae is hitting .299 with an .809 OPS, while Keith is hitting .338 with a 1.093 OPS in eighty at-bats. Boeve’s season-long numbers are less impressive, but over the last two weeks he has an OPS of .762.

Tyson Hardin and Brett Wichrowski, both top-30 Brewers prospects, haven’t been effective this season. Hardin had a breakout season in 2025, but he’s already allowed almost as many earned runs (25) as he did all of last season (28) and has an ERA approaching eight. At least he’s still striking guys out, with 43 Ks in less than 30 innings. Wichrowski has nearly identical stats, except that he’s striking out less batters and has allowed twice as many home runs as Hardin.

Manuel Rodriguez (5.40 ERA), Bishop Letson (6.75), and Jaron DeBerry (7.25) have also been struggling. Letson’s at least had a couple solid outings lately, giving up three hits and two runs in four innings in his last appearance. Ryan Birchard has been limiting opponents’ production, but he’s also walked 26 batters in 20 innings.

Next week’s opponent: @ Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)

High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (19-12)

Opponent: Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals)

Record this week: 4-2

Standout performances:

Luiyin Alastre: 7-for-15, 2 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K

Andrew Fischer (No. 5): 9-for-23, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K

Josiah Ragsdale: 6-for-21, 3 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K

Eric Bitonti (No. 25): 8-for-23, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 10 K

Travis Smith: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Braylon Owens: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Bryan Rivera: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Andrew Fischer turned in another impressive week, recording three home runs and six total extra-base hits in just 23 at-bats. Josh Adamczewski (No. 10) and Marco Dinges (No. 9) also both bounced back this week with six hits each. Adamczewski hit two home runs, while Dinges hit one. Adamczewski’s OPS is still over 1.000 on the season, while Dinges’ is “only” .908.

Josiah Ragsdale has also kept hitting. Over the last month, he owns an .883 OPS across 78 at-bats, trailing only Andrew Fischer among Timber Rattlers hitters.

Eric Bitonti has quietly been great over the last month, with a .257/.382/.473 line over 74 at-bats. Bitonti still strikes out way too much (30 Ks in those 74 at-bats), but this stretch has still brought his strikeout rate down. He won’t be promoted until he refines his approach, but he’s been showing that the hit tool is still very much there.

Luis Peña, the Brewers’ No. 2 prospect, is the best prospect on the Timber Rattlers. As I mentioned above, Peña still hasn’t played since the medical emergency on April 22nd, and the organization hasn’t given any updates on him since they announced he was scheduled to see a neurologist last Monday. Simply put, that’s not great.

Like I also said above, I hate to speculate, but it seems logical to conclude that there may be more going on here than initially meets the eye. Peña was diagnosed with heatstroke, but has now missed almost three weeks. Furthermore, the Brewers haven’t placed him on the injured list. If he had been cleared to play, the Brewers would have obviously announced that, even if they were giving him some time to recover before throwing him back in the lineup. I’m not going to guess what’s going on, but it’s clearly something. Hopefully he’s alright and will be back in the lineup soon.

Wisconsin has four pitchers who threw more than 20 innings this month — Travis Smith, Ethan Dorchies, Braylon Owens, and Wande Torres. Other than Smith (3.42), the others had ERAs between 4.50 and 6.95.

Next week’s opponent: vs. South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs)

Single-A Wilson Warbirds (15-17)

Opponent: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros)

Record this week: 3-2

Standout performances:

Luis Lameda: 5-for-13, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K

Frederi Montero: 5-for-14, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 2 K

Handelfry Encarnacion: 6-for-25, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K

Juan Ortuno: 5-for-14, 2 2B, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K

Jacob Morrison: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Jarrette Bonet: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Tanner Perry: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Tyler Renz: 4 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Player of the Month: Jarrette Bonet (this week: 7.2 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 6 BB, 7 K)

Jarrett Bonet, named the Brewers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, went 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA over 23.1 innings pitched. He racked up 26 strikeouts while posting an opponent batting average of just .222 (18-for-81). Bonet was signed as a free agent after last year’s draft and is quickly surpassing expectations with the Warbirds.

Although the season-long hitting stats look pretty bad so far, the bats have continued to heat up as Wilson inches closer to .500. Infielder Luis Lameda is slashing .318/,439/.379 this season. Handelfry Encarnacion, who won Carolina League Player of the Week last week, has shown some serious power over the last month with five homers and ten extra-base hits. Over that same stretch, Pedro Ibarguen is hitting .327 with a .929 OPS and Brady Ebel (No. 14) has a .388 OBP. Ebel is still hitting south of .200 on the season, but he’s clearly improving at the plate.

Wilson doesn’t really have a workhorse starter outside of Bonet (31 IP). After Bonet, Enderson Mercado ranks second on the staff in innings pitched, though he’s struggled to a 6.58 ERA. Tyler Renz (3.38 ERA in 26 2/3 innings), Miqueas Mercedes (3.04 ERA in 23 2/3 innings), and Garrett Hodges (2.00 ERA in 18 innings) have all quietly put together strong seasons.

Next week’s opponent: vs. Hill City Howlers (Cleveland Guardians)

Player of the Week

Andrew Fischer, who hit three home runs in a week for the second time in the last month. It’s easy to forget Fischer, who’s slashing .274/.365/.623 with a .988 OPS and nine home runs in his first full professional season, was playing in the College World Series less than a year ago. At this rate, it would be surprising if he isn’t viewed as a top-50 prospect in baseball by the end of the year.

Play of the Week

I couldn’t find a defensive play that impressed me as much as this filthy strikeout from Craig Yoho:

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6 Giannis Antetokounmpo trade packages after Bucks’ ultimatum to superstar

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks works out before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo has an ultimatum from Milwaukee Bucks ownership: either sign a contract extension this summer, or get traded. The long-rumored divorce between the two sides might finally come to fruition as the NBA prepares to enter the offseason, and the Bucks are making it known they’re ready to hear offers.

The Bucks are “open for business ”on Antetokounmpo trade offers, and the team is reportedly seeking “young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania’s report comes on the brink of the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, historically a place where early trade conversations happen as the entire league is gathered in Chicago. Antetokounmpo essentially asked out of Milwaukee ahead of the trade deadline, but a deal never materialized, and the trade landscape feels different this time.

The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder were reportedly not interested in a Giannis trade at the deadline. Does that change for Houston after a first-round exit? Will San Antonio or OKC also change their mind on a potential trade if they fall short of a championship? The Boston Celtics are another team to watch in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes now after a first-round exit in the 2026 NBA Playoffs when they were supposed to be the favorites in the East.

Here are six potential Antetokounmpo trade packages that make sense, plus two darkhorse surprise teams at the end.

Miami Heat’s best Giannis trade offer

Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, 2030 first-rounder, 2032 first-rounder

Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince

It will be tricky to make the salaries match, but there’s a framework in place for the potential Giannis trade to the Heat this summer. Miami has three first-round picks available to trade, including No. 13 overall this year, where we have Karim Lopez projected in our mock draft. Kel’el Ware had a solid second season even if he falls short of the “blue chip” prospect Milwaukee covets. If Mikal Bridges and Rudy Gobert were traded for five first-round picks, why is Giannis only fetching three? Well, it’s a different trade landscape these days, and Antetokounmpo’s constant late season injury issues feel like a real problem at age-31. The Heat are also chasing stars, and at this point it feels like they’ve maximized their current group. An all-in trade for Giannis makes sense for Miami, and it might be the best package Milwaukee can get.

Cavs’ best Giannis trade offer

Bucks receive: Evan Mobley, Sam Merrill, 2030 and 2032 first-round picks

Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

This trade is not currently legal because the Cavs are in the second apron, and thus cannot aggregate salaries to match Giannis’ massive deal. It’s possible Cleveland can get under the apron for this deal during the summer, and subbing in Jaylon Tyson for Merrill would make it even more appealing if they can square the salaries. Mobley is potentially the best young player on the market for Milwaukee. The big man turns 25 years old next month, and feels like he stagnated a bit offensively this season. He remains an incredible defender as a mobile 7-footer, and Milwaukee could probably flip him for a ton of assets if they wanted a longer view of their upcoming rebuild. Those Cleveland picks could be pretty valuable too with an older core in place should the Cavs do this deal.

Celtics’ best Giannis trade offer with Hawks to form 3-team deal

Bucks receive: No. 8 pick in 2026 NBA Draft, Celtics’ first-round picks in 2027 and 2032, Zaccharie Risacher, Hugo Gonzalez, Corey Kispert

Celtics receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hawks receive: Jaylen Brown

This is admittedly a rough draft what a three-team trade would look like between the Celtics, Hawks, and Bucks. The general framework would have Jaylen Brown landing in his hometown of Atlanta, Giannis going to the Celtics, and the Bucks getting Atlanta’s No. 8 overall pick and more future first-rounders. The salaries do work out in this deal according to the trade machine, so something like this could make sense. Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he already lost his spot in the Hawks’ playoff rotation, so this doesn’t feel like too much to give up for Atlanta to get Brown. The Celtics upgrade from Brown to Antetokounmpo and push for a championship next year. The Bucks land a second top-10 pick in this trade, and Gonzalez would be a nice get after a surprisingly strong rookie year.

Wolves’ best Giannis trade offer

Bucks receive: Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, 2032 first-round pick

Wolves receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

The Wolves were reportedly interested in Giannis at the trade deadline, and they could have interest again this summer should they fall short in the playoffs. This package features neither a blue chip young player or a bundle of picks, but it would give the Bucks a lot of flippable assets. McDaniels will be 26 years old next season and is one of the best wing defenders in the league. Gobert is still a defensive stud, and he’s on a more affordable deal now. DiVincenzo is out for the year sadly with an Achilles tear. Milwaukee could flip McDaniels and Gobert for 1-2 more future first-round picks each if they take this deal, and that Minnesota 2032 first-round could be spicy down the line.

Blazers’ best Giannis offer

Bucks receive: Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Yang Hansen, 2028 and 2030 Bucks swaps returned, 2032 Blazers first-round pick

TrailBlazers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

New Blazers owner Tom Dundan said the team has a big trade offer available at the trade deadline that the team chose to not pull the trigger on, but that things might be different under his watch. Was he talking about Giannis? The Blazers have always felt like a natural trade partner for Giannis because they own two future Milwaukee pick swaps. This deal has Portland unloading bad money in Jerami Grant, and cashing in Scoot Henderson and Yang Hansen, while returning the swap rights to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo. Henderson is starting to come on lately even if he hasn’t yet lived up to his draft hype, and he’s exactly the type of player who could intrigue Milwaukee. This is probably too much to give up for Portland, but it could potentially win a bidding war.

Knicks’ best Giannis trade offer

Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, 2032 first-round pick

Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma

The Knicks seem very likely to go to the Finals, but I won’t put a trade like this past them if they get smoked by the Thunder or Spurs once they get there. I do think it’s too much to give up for New York given Giannis’ injury history. Milwaukee wouldn’t get a pick surplus or any good young players from this haul, but it could immediately turn around and trade Anunoby and KAT for value.

Two surprise teams who could trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo

  • Orlando Magic: How about a Paolo Banchero for Giannis package as a starting point? I don’t think that’s going to solve Orlando’s shooting and injury woes, but it would be an instant talent upgrade for a team that’s already all-in on the present.
  • Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets could offer a huge package of picks, and they certainly need more physicality inside. Charlotte already had the best net-rating in the NBA after Jan. 1. Would they really empty the clip to trade every available pick for Giannis? Miles Bridges, Tre Mann, and Josh Green would match salaries.
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Lakers’ LeBron James uncertain about NBA career: ‘Don’t know what the future holds’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James sweating during a game, Image 2 shows LeBron James dribbling the ball with his team's logo on his jersey

After the 115-110 Game 4 second round playoff loss to the Thunder on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena to end the Lakers’ 2025-26 season, superstar LeBron James expressed uncertainty about his NBA future. 

James, 41, has spoken about retirement and not knowing what his would entail at the end of each of the last few seasons. 

After an NBA-record 23 seasons, Lakers star LeBron James is still undecided about his future. Getty Images

That was once again the case on Monday after wrapping up an unprecedented 23rd year in the NBA.  

“Obviously, we’re still fresh from losing – I don’t know what the future holds for me as it stands right now,” James said.
”I got a lot of time. I’ll sit back, like I said last year after we lost to Minnesota, I [will] go back and recalibrate with my family, talk with them and spend some time with them. And then when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”

For the first time in James’ career, he doesn’t have a guaranteed deal or option in his contract following this season, which is unchartered territory as he enters unrestricted free agency.

“None of us knows what the future holds,” James said. “Nobody has any idea what the future holds, and I don’t either. I’ll take time to recalibrate, look over the season and see what’s best for my future. I get to that point, everyone will know.”

James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 60 regular season games, with the Lakers going 53-29 and clinching the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference standings.

“I left everything I could on the floor,” James said. “I control what I can control and I can leave the floor saying ‘S–t, even though I hate losing obviously, but I was locked in on what we needed to do. Made sure that, I tried to make sure, our guys were locked in on what we needed to do throughout the postseason, throughout 10 games. And obviously we fell a little short obviously, but I don’t, I’m not looking at, my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure.”

James stepped into a third option role behind star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves post All-Star break, with the Lakers having their most successful stretch from late February-late March, when they won 16 of 18 games.

After the Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, James said he’ll take some time before deciding what’s next. AP

With Doncic sidelined for the entire playoffs because of a left hamstring strain he suffered on April 2 and Reaves sidelined for the first four games of the playoffs because of an oblique injury, James stepped back into a primary option role.

He led the Lakers to a first round playoff series victory over the Rockets in six games.

“I was put into some positions I never played in my career,” James said. “Actually in my life. I’ve never been a third option in my life. So to be able to thrive in that role for that period of time and then have to step back into the role that I’ve been accustomed with over my career, over my life, playing a sport and being able to thrive under that, and then just my teammates allowing me to lead them under extreme circumstances, that was pretty cool for me at this stage in my career.” 

James opened up on the factors that he’ll consider.

After an up-and-down season that began with injury, James proved that he can still play at an elite level when needed. NBAE via Getty Images

“For me, it’s about the process,” James said. “If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena 5 ½ hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play. Showing up to practices, 11 [a.m.] practice, I’m there at 8 [a.m.] preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in. So I think for me, I’ve always been in love with the process. And the aftermath of, ‘OK, we won that game or we won a championship.’ I’ve always enjoyed the process and not the outcome, so I think that would be a big factor.”

James added: “And then also, I’ll have a conversation with my 12-year-old daughter, that’s a big factor. And my 19-year-old son [Bryce] is entering his second year at Arizona. And my wife as well. They’re a huge factor in any decision I’ve made, so they’ll be a big part of it as well.”

James wrapped up his eighth season with the Lakers – the longest stretch of consecutive seasons with a single franchise in his career. 

“There’s a lot,” James responded on the special accomplishments of his Lakers tenure. “I mean, obviously winning a championship [in] 2020, stands at the top. 
I mean, that was the reason why I came here: To restore that level of play and restore this franchise back to what it was known for – winning championships and playing at a high level. To be out there with that group, go out there and win a championship and us competing at a championship level was something I kind of envisioned and was able to accomplish that. So that woud stand at the top for sure.”

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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, May 12

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It's a full 15-game slate across the Majors today, which means no shortage of value in my MLB player props. I'll highlight Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, May 12. 

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Pirates Paul SkenesOver 7.5 strikeouts-101
Reds Elly De La CruzOver 1.5 hits+185
Dodgers Yoshinobu YamamotoOver 6.5 strikeouts+114

Paul Skenes Over 7.5 strikeouts (-101)

Paul Skenes is carving opponents early on, posting a 2.36 ERA while striking out 46 hitters in 42 innings of work. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace has cashed the Over in Ks just once in his last three starts, but he did finish with seven punchouts in the other two outings, and tonight's matchup heavily plays in Skenes' favor. 

He'll face the lowly Colorado Rockies, one of the worst teams in the big leagues. Colorado strikes out more than any other team, with an average of 9.78 per game. They're also averaging over 12 Ks per contest across their last three, and Skenes' electric stuff will be too much for them.

He also has 26 punchouts in 21 1/3 home innings. 

  • Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Rockies.TV

Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 hits (+185)

Elly De La Cruz is tearing the cover off the baseball. He's batting .308 in May and .367 over the last week. The Cincinnati Reds star has three consecutive multi-hit games, and he finished with three hits in Sunday's victory over the Astros. De La Cruz had seven hits in that three-game series. 

Tonight's matchup will be one he's looking forward to as well. The Washington Nationals send veteran Miles Mikolas to the mound, who sports an ERA over seven. He's getting absolutely torched every time he takes the hill, and De La Cruz is hitting .333 against him, going 5-for-15 lifetime. 

De La Cruz is also batting a mile better at home with a .346 average, compared to a .232 mark on the road. 

  • Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Reds.TV, Nationals.TV

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 6.5 strikeouts (+114)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been led by the dominance of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is having a nice campaign. He's gone 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA, striking out 40 in 43 2/3 frames. Yamamoto has hit the Over in Ks in three of his last four appearances, and he sat down eight via the strikeout in his most recent start against the Astros. 

Yamamoto will face the San Francisco Giants this evening, and he already struck out seven against them earlier this season. He's held them to a .181 average as a lineup as well. The Giants do a respectable job of putting the ball in play, but they strike out a lot more on the road, averaging 8.33 Ks. 

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SportsNet LA, NBC Sports Bay Area
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 22-41, +0.25 units

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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The one-dollar 2026 Bowman card we should all be buying

The one-dollar 2026 Bowman card we should all be buying

Remember last year, when your pal J.R. Fickle tipped you off to future Yankees ace Cam Schlittler — with the caveat that he had no real cards… but would soon? And then he basically was awesome before his first card came out, leveling the playing field for all those non-Mail Day readers?

Let’s try this again. 

Bowman Draft isn’t the most attractive set for investing in cards — being described casually as “Bowman paper” doesn’t exactly ooze cardboard sexiness. But there is a pitcher in the Dodgers system who has his first card in the upcoming set and NOBODY is on him, despite the double-banger of having fantastic stats and — potentially — the most compelling story of the season. 

Patrick Copen is a 6’6”, 220 lb, 22 year-old starter for the Tulsa Drillers, LA’s Double-A affiliate. He currently has a 3.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 33 ⅔ innings. He was the Texas League Pitcher of the Month in April. He is an elite strikeout machine — last year he struck out 152 batters in 117 ⅔ IP.  

And he was permanently blinded in one eye two seasons ago. 

In 2024, Copen was hit in the face by a line drive. He lost vision in his right eye from the injury. A year later he was back on the mound. He hasn’t missed a step as far as his stats go, although he told MLB Network he had trouble checking runners on second base. Fabian Ardaya wrote a fantastic story about him last year for The Athletic. There’s storyline gold here. And the fact that his prices in breaks or singles on eBay are still low mean that people haven’t caught on yet. He’s not a top prospect, but maybe he should be. Still, we use that to our advantage as collectors apparently haven’t done their homework. 

There are, as always, a couple caveats. Keith Law projects Copen as a reliever. And he’s in the Dodgers system, which is already blocking things with possibly seven starters for a six-man rotation.  But hey — anyone can be traded at any given time! And Keith Law has probably been wrong before. We haven’t checked but… 

Copen’s card should be one you want. He’s put up near-elite minor league numbers, he’s a member of a prestigious organization, and he has a backstory that would make your Alysa Liu cards wilt in its presence. 

 I would like to take a moment to shout out the Jose Rijo 1994 Stadium Club card. 

I stumbled upon it during one of my white rabbit pursuits and man. What a great card. 

Also we forget that Rijo basically lost five seasons at the end of his prime because of two Tommy John surgeries and other arm issues. He was borderline studly before that and has one of the more tragic runs of bad luck in junk wax history. But the twist is that he came back after those five seasons and had a couple more years of decent relief outings. 

For those of you following my months-long PSA/GameStop saga — it has come to an end. Predictably, it did not go well. 

To bring everyone up to date: Three months ago I dropped off two cards — a Lauren Betts autographed rookie and a Trey Lance autographed rookie (yes, back in February the gamble was Lance would sign on as a starter somewhere) — at GameStop just to see how that process would go. Last week I got an email that they were ready. I was expecting an 8, hoping for a 9, and would love to have gotten a 10. 

Both cards graded out as 6s. 

I’m going to crack them open and send them to TAG. Or CSG — they were an awesome experience for me. Or SGC — they were also an awesome experience. I’m not a grading noob; I know these cards were in good enough shape to send in. I just picked the wrong company. 

Also, GameStop still smells weird. And it doesn’t open until noon, so I had to kill time at Wal-Mart, TJ Maxx (don’t get me started on the state of men’s low-cut socks), and Target for two hours, foolishly assuming they opened at 10am like a normal store. 

If you read this newsletter regularly, you know I have little good to say about PSA. So this mini-rant shouldn’t be a surprise. But I have now gone through even their most obscure grading process and it was, predictably, an annoying waste of money.                                              

Two 6’s!!!

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Atlanta Braves News: Ha-Seong Kim Back To Braves, Big Series with Cubs, More

After winning the weekend series in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers in one attempt to prove they are the National League’s best team, the Braves get a chance to further validate that claim against the Cubs to start the week. The Cubs have been the hottest team in baseball, and will likely prove to be another big challenge for the Braves.

Fortunately for Atlanta, more reinforcements are on the way. Ha-Seong Kim is back in the majors and is ready to make his season debut. Eli white was put on the 7-day concussion IL as a result, so Mauricio Dubon will have plenty of opportunity to play until some of the Braves outfield depth returns.

Braves News

A weekend full of home runs fueled many highlights across the Braves minor league teams.

Matt Powers looks at some of the Braves best and works picks in recent draft history.

MLB News

Rays continue to impress with one of best starts in MLB this season.

In the midst of their struggles, the Mets are calling up one of their top prospects in A.J.Ewing.

The Feed

Jim Jarvis, who made his MLB debut over the weekend, left a lasting impression as he delievered the defensive play of the week across MLB.

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Boiler Alert Podcast – NBA Draft Combine Updates – How Tall is Braden Smith?

Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) passes the ball before it goes out of bounds during a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Purdue fell to Arizona 79-64. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The NBA Draft lottery just happened which means we are one step closer to the actual NBA Draft. There are events going on all around the NBA to prepare the next crop of stars. Guys like Braden Smith are getting weighed and measured, how tall is he anyway? TKR is playing in the G-League Combine and doing a great job, enough to even move up a level in the combine hierarchy. Fletcher Loyer even showed up some of his skills at that same event. So what does this mean for the three Purdue seniors? We chat about that on this episode of the Boiler Alert podcast.

Then, we look at Daniel Jacobsen and I ask Ryan about Jacobsen’s impact for next season and if he’s the biggest question mark of all the returning players. DJ did some great things this season but I think many of us came away disappointed with his play, but was that on our expectations or his play? We discuss on the latest episode.

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Phillies meet Red Sox in battle of struggling teams with new managers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 01: The Philly Phanatic prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on April 1, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Despite their best efforts — and the effort was there on Sunday by Payton Tolle and others — the Red Sox lost another series. This time to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox briefly rose to 4th place in the AL East before the Sox dropped the series, the Orioles won, and Boston returned to its seemingly permanent last place home. That series was supposed to be four games, but rain forced Saturday’s matinee — and a possible split — to July. Boston remains just 2.0 games out of a Wild Card and about a game out of third place in the division. If they can just string a few wins together the entire feeling surrounding the season can flip. The dark clouds can be vanquished.

Chris Cotillo said the Red Sox may hope to get Willson Contreras back for the start of the series against the Phillies. Losing their first baseman would bring shades of 2025. And Contreras has been one of the few players to contribute on both sides of the ball so far this season. Roman Anthony might return at the end of the week when eligible. Ranger Suarez dodged a bullet with his own health issue. There are positives. The team just needs…wins.

While the Red Sox found Chadball after the firing of Alex Cora and a 7-6 record, the Phillies have benefitted even more from their shakeup: they’re 10-3 under Don Mattingly. This pushes the Phillies all the way to 19-22 (.463) vs. the Red Sox 17-23 record (.425) The Mets, the remaining big market flop, thankfully sit at 15-25 with their manager intact.

But if the Sox can sweep Detroit, can they handle Philly? They’ll miss ace Christopher Sáchez, thankfully. Bryce Harper, Kyle “from Waltham” Schwarber, and Brandon Marsh are leading the offense, while Trea Turner and some of the younger players struggle.

Zack Wheeler returned from thoracic outlet syndrome to pitch like he always has. A lucky break for the Phils to regain a second ace. His strikeouts are down a tick, his walks up a bit, but he’s made three starts on the season and allowed just 6 runs in 18 innings. He’ll face, likely, Brayan Bello and an opener. Bello was excellent against the Tigers tossing 7 innings while allowed just a single run in a 10-3 Boston win. He struck out 7 and walked 1. That’ll play against any lineup.

Top prospect Andrew Painter is now “struggling rookie Andrew Painter” and hopefully stays like that for one more start. A righthander and still just 23, Painter was rocked by the A’s last time out for 8 runs in 3.2 innings. Two starts earlier he gave up 5 runs n 5.2 against Atlanta. He’s struck out 30 in 32.2 innings while walking 12. Six homers haven’t helped either. Sonny Gray looked solid against the Tigers after a couple weeks on the IL. He didn’t’ allow a run in 5.0 innings and the bullpen was able to carry the victory across. Hopefully he’s able to add a sixth inning and give the ‘pen a little breathing room.

Jesús Luzardo has had some rough outings. He’s given up at least 5 runs in 4 of his 8 starts. In the other four he’s allowed 4 runs combined. Last time out against Colorado was a 6-run, 3.0 inning affair. But he handled the Giants, who like the Sox have struggled offensively, for 7.0 shutout innings at the end of April. We’ll see what the Sox lefties can do to him. Ranger Suárez, who left his last start on 5/3 with some hamstring trouble, avoids the IL to make a start with just a little extra rest. He’s been basically everything the Red Sox could have hoped. The WBC delayed his preparation a tad but then after his first two starts it’s just the blip with the Yankees who were, frankly, crushing everything. If he’s healthy and rolls out another 7-8 inning gem against his old team it’s possible the Sox win this series, though obviously he’d rather take the mound with visions of brooms.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Tuesday, May 12: Zack Wheeler (3.12 ERA / 2.83 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)

Wednesday, May 13: Andrew Painter (6.89 ERA / 4.86 FIP), vs. Sonny Gray (3.54 ERA / 4.29 FIP)

Thursday, May 14: Jesús Luzardo (5.98 ERA / 2.95 FIP) vs. Ranger Suárez (2.77 ERA / 3.24FIP)

When/Where to Watch

Tuesday, May 12: 6:45 PM on NESN

Wednesday, May 13: 6:45 PM ET on NESN

Thursday, May 14: 6:45 PM ET on NESN

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LeBron James relishes leading Lakers. Would he accept lesser role again?

LeBron James talked about steps he’ll take before deciding whether to play again next season, but is there one missing from the list?

Spending time with his family. Talking to his 12-year-old daughter; his 19-year-old son; and his wife. Reflecting on this past season and deciding what’s in his best interest. And ...

What he didn’t cite explicitly is how his role changed this past season, during which he averaged 20.9 points, the fewest since he averaged the same in his rookie season.

Opinion: If this is it for LeBron James, appreciate how unprecedented he was

"I'm not looking at my year as a disappointment, that's for damn sure," James, 41, told reporters after the Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-110, Monday, May 11 and got swept in the Western Conference semifinal playoff series. "Especially, I was put into some positions that I've never played in my career before, actually in my life.

"I've never been a third option in my life."

This season, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves emerged as the NBA’s highest-scoring backcourt, and in March, Lakers coach JJ Redick officially asked James to accept the role of the team’s third scoring option.

He agreed.

With James in that role, the Lakers thrived.

That is, until Doncic suffered a hamstring injury in February and Reaves strained his oblique muscle April 2, during 139-96 loss to the Thunder.

Suddenly James was the Lakers’ No. 1 option again, and he led them past the Houston Rockets in their first-round playoff series.

"So to be able to thrive in that role (as the team’s third option) for that period of time and then have to step back into the role that I've been accustomed with over my career, over my life ... that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career," he said.

More: Has LeBron James' tenure with the Lakers been a failure? Fans weigh in.

But would it be cool to go back to being the third option next season, which would be his 24th in the NBA?

It could be a complex assessment.

When asked about the love for the game, James said, "I don't think it ever goes away."

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 4 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

More imporantly, James said, is maintaining his love for "the process." That entails arriving for games 5 1/2 hours early to start getting ready. And arriving three hours before practice.

"...giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play," he said.

James played a co-leading role Monday night, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Reaves had a team-high 27 points along with seven rebounds and six assists.

James took 18 shots. Reaves took 16 shots. Luka remained sidelined.

The highlight of James' eight-year tenure with the Lakers, he said, was leading the Lakers to the NBA title in 2020. He mentioned competing for championships again Monday.

“I think that's a motivating factor, it's always been since I've – probably the first time I touched the postseason in ‘06 – was like, how can I compete for a championship?" he said.

Does accepting the role of third option give James and the Lakers third best chance to win an NBA title?

Is it something he thinks is in his best interest?

Would he still love showing up 5 1/2 hours before games and three hours before practices?

The process of figuring it out all out has officially begun.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is LeBron James willing to be Lakers’ third option again?

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Luka Doncic opts out of FIBA World Cup to spend time with daughters

After the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday night, Luka Doncic took to Instagram to announce he will not be joining the Slovenian national team this summer. Instead, he shared that he plans to devote his time to his daughters.

The message, initially written in Slovenian and later translated into English, emphasized that being a father to his two daughters is his top priority. Doncic explained that over the past eight months, it has been challenging to spend time with them as he works toward a joint custody agreement with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes. The couple shares a three-year-old daughter, Gabriela, and a five-month-old daughter, Olivia.

“I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life. As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer,” Doncic wrote in the post. “Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months.”

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How do you feel about MLB’s balanced schedule?

BOSTON, MA - MAY 21: The scoreboard in the bleacher seats displays tonight's interleague matchup on May 21, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Tonight the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox are wearing replica uniforms from 1918. Before this series, the two teams haven't played at Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Tuesday, Red Sox Nation. The Red Sox start a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies today. It marks the fifth National League opponent the Red Sox have played over the first month of the season. The balanced schedule has been around for a few years now, with fewer divisional games and everyone playing everyone, but it still doesn’t feel quite right to me. So, I’m wondering, how do you feel about the balanced schedule? Do you wish we still played Baltimore 19 times, or whatever it was?

Talk about whatever you want, and be good to one another.

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With the Mavericks at the ninth pick in the NBA Draft, we turn our eyes toward Mike Schmitz’ record

BRISTOL, CT - NOVEMBER 18: NBA Draft Analyst, Mike Schmitz looks at his phone during the 2020 NBA Draft on November 18, 2020 in Bristol, Connecticut at ESPN Headquarters. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

When Mike Schmitz was hired as the Dallas Mavericks’ new general manager under the newly minted head man Masai Ujiri, he was hailed as a master talent evaluator.

Now, with the Mavericks landing the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft after Sunday’s Draft Lottery, we turn our eyes toward some of the moves he had a hand in as assistant GM for the Portland Trail Blazers and some of his hotter takes on incoming NBA talent during his time analyzing the draft for DraftExpress and ESPN.

This year’s draft is full of electrifying, potentially franchise-shifting talent at the top, but there are tiers. It’s levels to this shit, as a wise man once said. The Mavs will not be operating on the tippy top level if they keep the ninth pick and select from the leftovers after the top two tiers are all but gutted. It is, on its face, a disappointing result given the season Mavericks fans just endured.

As Ujiri himself said in a recent sit-down interview with Mavericks Chief Comms Officer Gina Miller, “[The NBA Draft Lottery is] a moment where we’re all human beings. You feel it. You know what the odds are, but you still feel like you are the one [to move up].”

And when it doesn’t happen, like for the Raptors in 2025 or for the Mavs this year, you may find yourself kicking rocks with your head hung low on a lonesome stretch of highway as a tumbleweed drifts by.

But at the very least, there are smart people in charge now. They are formulating a plan. These are people who have an actual vision; they’re not manufacturing one for spin after dropping a nuke on the thing you love.

So here are some of Schmitz’ Greatest Hits. Play these on repeat as you wonder how the Mavericks deal with the 2026 offseason.

The 2018 NBA Draft

Schmitz was all-in on Luka Dončić in the run-up to the 2018 NBA Draft, as he worked as an analyst for ESPN. The headline clipped and shared across social media in the days since his hiring in Dallas reads, “There has never been an NBA draft prospect like Slovenia’s Luka Dončić.”

The first-round draft results from that year are pure comedy with the benefit of eight years’ hindsight. The great debate for many was Ayton or Dončić at No. 1, which has proven over the last eight years to be a complete laugher.

Schmitz called Dončić a “unicorn.” He called the Mavericks the “clear winner” of the draft after all the cards were turned in. He referred to Dončić as a “historic” prospect with unparalleled skill, basketball IQ, and winning experience for his age. He heard the criticism of Dončić’s athleticism and tried to convince the masses that it didn’t matter.

He was 100% right. The deceleration move that Dončić befuddled better athlete after better athlete with has been mimicked and copy-catted to death in the years since.

The 2020 NBA Draft

Schmitz’s soothsaying after the 2020 NBA Draft should be a case study for talent evaluation. He nailed it all in the above post on what was then Twitter (ah, simpler times), save for underselling Anthony Edwards and Franz Wagner a little bit.

LaMelo Ball has proven out. Deni Avdija has proven out, and Schmitz’s hand in bringing Avdija to the Trail Blazers will be covered later. Okongwu has proven out, fresh off a season where he averaged 15.2 points and nearly eight rebounds a game. The Tyrese Haliburton nod was downright psychic. The specificity with which he described Tyrese Maxey’s potential may be the most impressive item on his list, and these last two citations should encourage Mavs fans the most. Picking from a less-than-optimal spot, Schmitz can spot the dog among more highly touted also-rans.

This unique talent could also serve Dallas well at the 30th pick.

Early Wembanyama adopter

Schmitz is such an international talent geek, it’s delicious. Mavs fans in particular, what with the team’s penchant for going and getting great players from overseas, should be salivating at the thought of his finger anywhere near the trigger.

He was among the earliest adopters of one Victor Wembanyama, releasing the following assessment in 2020, three years before The Alien was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs: “The prototypical NBA center is shrinking as the league gets smaller. But Wembanyama is different. Not only does he put a lid on the rim like Rudy Gobert, he also shows the floor-spacing potential of a young Kristaps Porzingis, with a far better handle and passing feel.”

Wembanyama was just 16 at the time Schmitz wrote that. It’s a bit harder to miss Wembanyama, what with his singular frame and skillset, but Schmitz still gets points for being one of the first to recognize the paradigm shifting nature of his potential arrival on the scene.

Spot-on assessment of Jalen Williams

Schmitz called Jalen Williams the steal of the 2022 draft a month before the picks were in.

“Easy to see him generating substantial 1st round buzz during the pre-draft process,” Schmitz said of the 6-foot-6 prospect with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He did exactly that and has since proven to, indeed, be the steal of that draft class.

He just seems to have a track record for being in on guys who go on to over-achieve. Schmitz is a seeker. He’ll find you a dude.

Bringing Avdija and Camara to Portland

As then-assistant GM, Schmitz theoretically had at least some input into the trade that netted the Blazers Avdija’s services in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the 2024 draft (which ended up being Bub Carrington), a 2029 first-round pick and two second-rounders. This was highway robbery.

Avdija’s jump in production during the 2025-26 season is something many predicted after a couple of seasons playing in Washington. Many Mavericks fans and analysts wished the team could have put together a package for Avdija rather than Daniel Gafford on deadline day in 2024. But Schmitz not only predicted Avdija’s ascension years earlier, he was also part of the team that put together a package to fleece the poor Wizards of the prospect he knew was about to arrive. Chess moves.

A year earlier, following Damian Lillard’s request for a trade after 11 seasons in Portland, Schmitz & Co. were still able to command a substantial haul when the Trail Blazers obliged him. They did not, in retrospect, get held over a barrel in the process. They got Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holliday and Toumani Camara, who was considered at the time something of a throw-in piece but has since developed into one of the best defensive stoppers in the league. He was a second-team All-Defensive Team selection a year ago after being drafted 52nd overall in 2023.

The Yang Hansen of it all

Schmitz’s detractors will point to his role in trading for Yang Hansen, whom the Memphis Grizzlies selected with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as evidence that he takes too many risks on international prospects that he likes over surer shots on the draft board. Schmitz was suspended for two weeks without pay by the NBA in April after the team self-reported that Schmitz and his fellow co-general manager, Sergio Oliva, made illegal contact with Yang in 2023, two years before the youngster from China was eventually drafted by the team. The NBA also fined the Blazers $100,000 for that self-reported violation.

That deal may well go down as a mistake, but the Blazers also secured a first-round pick and two second-rounders in the deal. The jury is still out on Yang, who is just 20, by the way. The concern here is that the Mavericks don’t have a bunch of draft capital to experiment with in the next few years. They don’t fully own their first-rounders in either the 2027 or 2028 drafts.

Now that we know where the Mavs stand in the draft order, visions of trade scenarios like Yang-for-Coward will no doubt begin to dance in our collective heads? What could the Mavericks get for, say, P.J. Washington and No. 9? How far could the Mavs move up if they found someone interested in Dereck Lively II and the ninth pick?

The onus is on Ujiri and Schmitz to get it right this year. Good thing they’ve both shown a talent for wheeling, dealing and making the pieces fit.

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NHL Insider Cautions Flyers Against Matvei Michkov Trade: 'You Can't Find Guys Like This'

Since Matvei Michkov ended the season a healthy scratch, he'll be all the talk this offseason, and that is going to open up some sore wounds for Philadelphia Flyers fans.

This conversation has, of course, resurfaced again, even after things went mostly well under John Tortorella, and later Brad Shaw, last season.

The Flyers fanbase has been divided into two splinter cells: one that thinks head coach Rick Tocchet is right to bench an underperforming, out-of-shape Michkov, and one that thinks the Flyers botched this whole operation and gave the player little opportunity to perform in a meaningful role.

In reality, both sides are, to an extent, right in both cases.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who has no skin in this game, took to his "32 Thoughts" podcast to dish on Michkov and the Flyers, expertly playing both sides and making sense of it all.

He also indirectly cautioned the Flyers against trading Michkov, even invoking the despised Cutter Gauthier as an example of why it just can't happen again.

Flyers Boss Rick Tocchet Talks Matvei Michkov, Improved Recent PlayFlyers Boss Rick Tocchet Talks Matvei Michkov, Improved Recent PlayThings were never quite right between <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> head coach Rick Tocchet and phenom forward Matvei Michkov for much of the season, but Michkov's strong finish to the season has all but erased that now.

"Look what happened with Cutter Gauthier. . . just look at Gauthier's natural gifts. It's really hard to let two players walk like that in a short period of time," Friedman said.

"Gauthier was a really good pick by Philadelphia that didn't work out. And Michkov, I still say, was a really good pick by the Flyers. I just don't think you can give up that easily. If I'm [Danny Briere], I'm saying 'We have to find a way to make this better.' . . . You would have to show me a trade that really made sense for me to do this."

The Flyers obviously need a good center, and a young one, at that, but no team with a good center at Michkov's age is going to pony one up for him after this debacle.

And for the Flyers, taking a draft pick and/or other futures for Michkov from a team like the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks doesn't make sense.

They just made the playoffs, and using a pick on a player who could be three years away from being a contributor at the expense of a back-to-back 20-goal, 50-point player strays from that progress.

"I would say to Tocchet, 'You can't find guys like this.' If we're going to move on from him, we better be sure. Better be sure, that there is absolutely no chance it works out here for him," Friedman continued.

"I would also say to Michkov, 'I am not going to trade you.' So, your best answer, whatever you're not delivering, you have to change that, too."

Some things we can safely assume Michkov has not delivered, at least for Tocchet, is a consistent forechecking presence and more frequent skating. It's not Michkov's style, especially offensively, but that is what the coach wants.

Flyers Must Avoid This Trap in NHL Free AgencyFlyers Must Avoid This Trap in NHL Free AgencyThe Philadelphia Flyers must be careful and not get greedy overpaying for a player like Darren Raddysh in NHL free agency.

At the same time, this is now two seasons and counting of the Flyers trying to pivot Michkov off the things that made him the seventh pick three years ago. The creativity, the risk-taking, opportunism, offensive puck touches.

Friedman and co-host Kyle Bukauskas went on to discuss the training camp out-of-shape stuff that has been beaten like a dead horse, and yeah, the player has to work on that. Everyone can benefit from improved conditioning and added speed.

We saw what Bobby Brink did over the last few seasons, and it turned him from a bubble player to an important one.

Michkov is already important, so the next step is... elite?

At the end of the day, there are a lot of moving parts here, and there doesn't appear to be any motivation from either side for a Michkov trade.

Like Friedman says, get everyone together and figure it out, because nobody's going anywhere after the success the Flyers had as a team this season.

And Friedman's opinion matters. He's plugged in with front offices, agents, and all kinds of staffers, so he knows how the league works, why it works, and how the situation is viewed.

The Flyers have taken a beating from the public all season long over the Michkov stuff, and the perpetuated noise around them is asking them to quash it for good.

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Canadiens Must Brace For Pushback In Game 4

The Montreal Canadiens have outscored the Buffalo Sabres 11-3 in the last two games and taken a 2-1 series lead. While that will have given Martin St-Louis’ men plenty of confidence, they must be careful not to be overly confident, as this series is far from over. If Tage Thompson and co. can get a win in Game 4, they will be right back in this series and will regain home-ice advantage. If the Habs get the win, though, they will have the all-important 3-1 commanding win and push the Sabres to the brink of elimination. Given the fact that the Carolina Hurricanes are already through to the Conference Final, both teams should want to win as quickly as possible.

In league history, the team with a 2-1 lead has won the series 69% of the time (399-180). What’s even more interesting for Habs’ fans, though, is the fact that when the Sabres are trailing 2-1 in a series, they have a 0-14 record and a 0-3 record when the series started at home. Meanwhile, when the Canadiens lead a series 2-1, they have a 40-11 record, meaning they’ve won over 78% of the time. When the series started on the road, though, that record goes down to 11-6, which is still a .647 winning percentage.

Xhekaj And Malenstyn Fined, Expect More Bad Blood
Canadiens’ Bolduc Is A Pain For Sabres
Canadiens’ Dobes On His Way To Make History?

The Canadiens had an optional skate on Tuesday, and only a few players opted to take to the ice: Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Joe Veleno, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Jacob Fowler, and Samuel Montembeault. In other words, only three players who are in the active lineup joined the reserves on the ice: Newhook (who has five goals in the last four games), Veleno, and Hutson.

As for the Sabres, they were supposed to hold a full practice, but they canceled it. Speaking to the media, Lindy Ruff explained that they didn’t practice in between games at all during the series against the Boston Bruins and that they had already made one exception in the Montreal series, so they decided to revert to the original plan: rest in between games and just have a simple morning skate.

Asked about the possibility of changing his goaltender to provide a spark in his team, the experienced bench boss stuck with what he had said on Sunday night, praising Alex Lyon, but he did say that he would have liked to change a couple of blueliners and forwards on Sunday, but that he didn’t have that option.

Sounds like we’ll have another Lyon vs. Jakub Dobes duel in Game 4. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM at the Bell Centre, and you can catch it on CBC, TVAS, SN, and ESPN. Kelly Sutherland and TJ Luxmore will be officiating, while Julien Fournier and Matt MacPherson will be the linemen. Expect another electric night at the Bell Center, as fans will no doubt have read about the Sabres being unable to communicate in Game 3 due to the noise. 

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